Sports reporter at The Canberra Times

George Bailey of Australia celebrates his century during game two of the Commonwealth Bank One Day International Series between Australia and the West Indies at WACA on February 3. Photo: Getty Images

AUSTRALIAN batsman George Bailey wants to follow David Warner's lead and use his blistering limited-overs form to force his way into the Test team.

Overlooked for the upcoming tour of India, Bailey can continue to put his name up in lights in Wednesday's one-day international with the West Indies at Manuka Oval.

Bailey is coming off a stunning unbeaten 125 in Perth, single-handedly steering Australia from 6-98 to what proved to be a match-winning total of 7-266.

He didn't make the cut for the 17-man squad for the four-Test series in India, with national selectors preferring spin-bowling all-rounder Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja as the reserve batsmen.

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Both have superior first-class averages than Bailey (41.74 and 43.03 compared to Bailey's 39.90) and are younger than the 30-year-old Tasmanian.

Bailey has received the tick of approval from Australian batting coach Dean Jones, while Warner's rapid rise into the five-day format on the back of Twenty20 and 50-over form proves limited-overs form can count in Test selection.

Bailey hopes that's the case as his one-day commitments limits his chances to push his claims in the Sheffield Shield.

''You have to, because once you're playing in this one-day side you miss Shield games so you don't get that opportunity that others have to push your red-ball form,'' Bailey said.

''One thing I've found is what you certainly get is great belief that you can succeed at the top level, so I think that certainly transcends all forms.

''As a batsman, it's a really simple equation - you just score enough runs so the selectors are forced to pick you.

''The challenge for me is to make the most of the opportunities in the one-day side.

''Hopefully if an opportunity does arise, you're in the right place at the right time.''

Bailey has made a seamless transition from solid state cricketer to a reliable presence in the middle order since making his ODI debut in March last year.

While it was his maiden century at international level, Bailey's consistency has ensured he's the leading runscorer among Australian batsmen in that time. And by some way.

Bailey's 720 runs, at an average of 45, is 303 more than the next best, David Hussey (417), and is behind only England's Ian Bell worldwide.

''I'd love to play any format, anywhere in the world,'' Australia's Twenty20 captain said.

''The Ashes would be really special and this Indian series is big.

''Everyone in the country is aware how big the next 12 months will be for the Australian Test team.

''There will be some opportunities that will arise and some inexperienced guys will get some opportunities … it's about grabbing those and playing good cricket as soon as possible.''

Adjusting to the batsman-friendly conditions at Manuka Oval shouldn't be a problem for Bailey - he scored an unbeaten 107 to steer the PM's XI to victory against New Zealand in 2009.

That Prime Minister's XI side also included current ODI players Phil Hughes and Clint McKay.